Extremadura New Energies publishes on its website the project registered with the BoardIt includes an underground operation, the use of green hydrogen, the guarantee that Calerizo will not be affected and the highest standards of environmental sustainability.
Extremadura New Energies has taken another step in its commitment to transparency. And it is that the company from Cáceres has published on its website all the technical details of its new integrated industrial project for lithium processing. This is the same document that has been registered as a "starting document" with the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Sustainability.
According to the company, "there is nothing to hide" , and that explains why the document has been made available to all interested citizens on the company's own website despite the fact that there was no obligation to do so. In this way, it is clear not only that there is a technical and real project that wants to be made known, but that each and every one of the commitments made by the company over the last few months is put on paper. That is another of the company's objectives, "to respond with facts and documentation to those who try to create confusion by releasing manipulated information, the same ones who until now have not wanted to know the reality of the project" .
Citizens and administrations were asking us to go one step further and find a way to present the project as soon as possible and that is what we have done," they point out from the company. Registering it activates the request to the Board to prepare a scope document within 3 months, and the technical indications of that scope document will be incorporated into the final project. “ It is important to highlight that it is a binding project in which we can incorporate improvements, but not take a step back” , says Extremadura New Energies.
Project details
What are the citizens who access the web to find out about the project first-hand ? Well, a project captured on paper that tries to respond to all the social and environmental demands that have been raised by both the administrations and the different associations of Cáceres.
Thus, we are talking about a 100% underground extraction and a lithium hydroxide processing plant. Regarding the terms, 2 years of preparation and construction, 26 of exploitation and 3 of rehabilitation and closure and 26 of exploitation are foreseen.
Subterranean mine
The project is for “interior mining” with the filling of the excavated holes, which is the confirmation that the initial open-pit project has been completely ruled out, thus attending to the process of active listening and to the commitments with the society of Cáceres. This solution, as indicated in the project, will reduce not only the footprint of the exploitation area, but also that of the sterile and stockpile installation.
Water
Another important detail is the use of water. The use of wastewater in a closed circuit is planned, with which a '0 discharge' policy will be followed, while guaranteeing that neither the Calerizo nor the rest of the groundwater in the area will be affected.
Plant
The processing plant, fully encapsulated, will be integrated into the environment and the treatment, being a pioneer, in addition to generating battery-grade lithium hydroxide, will allow the "sterile" generated to be reused in the agricultural, construction or industry sectors, promoting the circular economy. In addition, this floor has an acoustic insulation system to prevent noise from outside the enclosure.
Location
We have worked with criteria that guarantee that the valley will not be affected, in addition to the fact that they are soils compatible with the activity, are far from the urban area and have an ideal orography to minimize the affected surface, looking for areas already altered by the activity human. The registered document includes three alternatives for the Extremadura New Energies project that would meet all the requirements, although the instructions of the Board's technicians will be followed in this regard.
Process
Extremadura New Energies will implement a new processing system that allows lithium to be extracted without using sulfuric acid, a system that is already registered and in the patent phase. It is a processing system that respects the environment.
Clean energy'
According to the document, the plant will be supplied with green hydrogen and 100% renewable energy. Added to this is the use of an electric fleet of vehicles and machinery.
Rehabilitation
The project contemplates a rehabilitation plan for the entire environment in order to prevent any negative effect on the environment and on people, achieving greater integration into the environment and minimizing the visual impact of the structures. Rehabilitation will be developed as soon as possible, without waiting for the end of the activity.
Employment
During the construction stage, a peak of 1,500 workers hired directly is estimated, to which another 700 people hired directly during the exploitation process are added. In addition, the forecast is that another 2,100 indirect jobs will be created.
https://www.elperiodicoextremadura.com/caceres-local/2022/10/26/extremadura-new-energies-publica-web-77455328.html
